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A Flicker Of Shadows
In 1890, a remote mountain castle in eastern Europe is host to two conflicting realities. In one reality, a Police Inspector and a lunatic approach a crime scene from opposing ends. In the other, a bat has succumbed to delusions of grandeur and plans a life beyond the bounds of his supernatural world. When the bat claims the abandoned mountain castle for himself, he sets the two realities onto a collision course. Within that impact, a creature is forged and unleashed upon the mountain communities. Not only are lives at risk, but so too is the light of childhood innocence within the minds of the Inspector (Murnau), the Lunatic (Onno) and the Bat (Morton). Their understanding of reality will be irrevocably corrupted among the flickering shadows cast by the castle creature.
Told in the epistolary format of letters, journal entries and interview transcripts, A Flicker Of Shadows is a psychological mystery with a slow burn. It is written to appeal to New Adult and Adult audiences by purposely mashing what appears to be a children’s story with an adult tale of folklore monsters and classic horror beats. But, do not let that fool you. This is not a story for children; it is a tragic story for adults that once were.
For more information, please www.mnseeley.ca
Told in the epistolary format of letters, journal entries and interview transcripts, A Flicker Of Shadows is a psychological mystery with a slow burn. It is written to appeal to New Adult and Adult audiences by purposely mashing what appears to be a children’s story with an adult tale of folklore monsters and classic horror beats. But, do not let that fool you. This is not a story for children; it is a tragic story for adults that once were.
For more information, please www.mnseeley.ca
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2017
6 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
M.N. Seeley
2 books7 followersM.N. Seeley, is a former Illustrator now working as a professional Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Copywriter, and Marketing Brand Consultant all rolled into one (www.theseeleyagency.ca). But, what does this have to do with writing? Everything, if you ask him, because he believes storytelling is at the core of every successful creative endeavour. To him, the creative process never changes; only the medium does.
He lives in Ontario, Canada, where his children have spent years trying to teach him how to throw a football with a decent spiral. To date, they remain unsuccessful and undeterred.
He lives in Ontario, Canada, where his children have spent years trying to teach him how to throw a football with a decent spiral. To date, they remain unsuccessful and undeterred.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 10, 2018
What do you get when you mix an Inspector, a lunatic and a bat (yes…a bat) together? Give up? You get one heck of an awesome story- that’s what! Author M.N. Seeley has penned a unique and excellent piece of literary fiction with his book, A Flicker of Shadows. If you enjoy being transported back in time to a land of intriguing suspense and contrasting realities, then this book is just what you are looking for.
As always, I will attempt to give an appropriate summation of the book without actually giving away too much of the plot. The story is set in the late 19th Century in Eastern Europe. The focal point of the setting is an old castle which really adds to the gothic atmosphere of the tale. Essentially, a grandiose bat named Morton, has decided to escape his current reality and lay claim to this old, abandoned castle all for himself. He will stop at nothing to make this quest be so. Meanwhile, the young Inspector Murnau and a lunatic named Onno appear to be set for an inevitable encounter. What is the common denominator? It is the old castle and a “kingly” bat who will stop at nothing to make his dreams become a reality. What will the result be of this inevitable conflict and impending collision between these divergent realities? The answer could be more horrifying than any of them could have ever imagined.
The question which I pose for the author M.N. Seeley is, “where have you been all this time?” This novel is an imaginative, sophisticated and intricate piece of writing. It is also presented solely in the form of journal entries, letters and interview transcripts. That type of presentation is not my personal favorite and will typically struggle capturing the interest of many readers. It can simply be quite difficult engaging readers in the story by solely using this format. However, that was not the case with this novel. Seeley masters the task of securing reader engagement. When reading this tale, you will soon forget all about the format as the actual story is so intense and full of suspense, that it totally sucks you right in!
There can be little doubt that A Flicker of Shadows is a piece of top quality literary fiction. It has all the required elements, such as in-depth character development and a theme which focuses heavily upon the plight of the human condition. While the story is often quite hilarious, it is nevertheless saturated in tragedy. It is a tragic tale which showcases the author’s unmistakably beautiful writing. It is a long read…but it does not feel that way. That in itself is a sure sign of top notch storytelling. Also, when we are examining works of literary fiction, they must always contain impeccable writing. That is one of the critical elements. While other genre writing may be able to escape with occasional lapses or flaws, this is not the case for literary fiction. This piece meets those very high standards as Seeley’s writing is essentially flawless.
Many authors often struggle with the presentation of story setting. It can be quite challenging to properly describe the setting so it provides a captivating atmosphere, without overplaying the description to the point of tedious boredom. In A Flicker of Shadows, the setting description manages to capture this key balance. It is a shadowy and gothic setting which adds obvious tension and intrigue to the tale. Personally, the vision I had throughout the story was characters immersed in a perpetual fog and gloom. The author capably manages to use his setting to enhance the tragic theme of the novel.
The most critical element of literary fiction is character development. A Flicker of Shadows absolutely does not disappoint in this regard. The 3 main characters evolve progressively throughout the story. All are identifiable and in some way relatable to the reader. My own personal favorite however is absolutely Morton the bat. I find his character to be so pompous and arrogant that as such he is both hilarious and unequivocally tragic at the same time. This tragic component is ingeniously weaved throughout every element of the story, including character development.
All in all. If you are looking for a top piece of quality literary fiction, then you really should give A Flicker of Shadows a read.
5 Gothic Stars for this one! *****
As always, I will attempt to give an appropriate summation of the book without actually giving away too much of the plot. The story is set in the late 19th Century in Eastern Europe. The focal point of the setting is an old castle which really adds to the gothic atmosphere of the tale. Essentially, a grandiose bat named Morton, has decided to escape his current reality and lay claim to this old, abandoned castle all for himself. He will stop at nothing to make this quest be so. Meanwhile, the young Inspector Murnau and a lunatic named Onno appear to be set for an inevitable encounter. What is the common denominator? It is the old castle and a “kingly” bat who will stop at nothing to make his dreams become a reality. What will the result be of this inevitable conflict and impending collision between these divergent realities? The answer could be more horrifying than any of them could have ever imagined.
The question which I pose for the author M.N. Seeley is, “where have you been all this time?” This novel is an imaginative, sophisticated and intricate piece of writing. It is also presented solely in the form of journal entries, letters and interview transcripts. That type of presentation is not my personal favorite and will typically struggle capturing the interest of many readers. It can simply be quite difficult engaging readers in the story by solely using this format. However, that was not the case with this novel. Seeley masters the task of securing reader engagement. When reading this tale, you will soon forget all about the format as the actual story is so intense and full of suspense, that it totally sucks you right in!
There can be little doubt that A Flicker of Shadows is a piece of top quality literary fiction. It has all the required elements, such as in-depth character development and a theme which focuses heavily upon the plight of the human condition. While the story is often quite hilarious, it is nevertheless saturated in tragedy. It is a tragic tale which showcases the author’s unmistakably beautiful writing. It is a long read…but it does not feel that way. That in itself is a sure sign of top notch storytelling. Also, when we are examining works of literary fiction, they must always contain impeccable writing. That is one of the critical elements. While other genre writing may be able to escape with occasional lapses or flaws, this is not the case for literary fiction. This piece meets those very high standards as Seeley’s writing is essentially flawless.
Many authors often struggle with the presentation of story setting. It can be quite challenging to properly describe the setting so it provides a captivating atmosphere, without overplaying the description to the point of tedious boredom. In A Flicker of Shadows, the setting description manages to capture this key balance. It is a shadowy and gothic setting which adds obvious tension and intrigue to the tale. Personally, the vision I had throughout the story was characters immersed in a perpetual fog and gloom. The author capably manages to use his setting to enhance the tragic theme of the novel.
The most critical element of literary fiction is character development. A Flicker of Shadows absolutely does not disappoint in this regard. The 3 main characters evolve progressively throughout the story. All are identifiable and in some way relatable to the reader. My own personal favorite however is absolutely Morton the bat. I find his character to be so pompous and arrogant that as such he is both hilarious and unequivocally tragic at the same time. This tragic component is ingeniously weaved throughout every element of the story, including character development.
All in all. If you are looking for a top piece of quality literary fiction, then you really should give A Flicker of Shadows a read.
5 Gothic Stars for this one! *****
February 19, 2020
A note: you’re going to think I’m laying it on thick. I’m not.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for a free moment when I could review M.N. Seeley’s “A Flicker of Shadows,” because I l-o-v-e *LOVE* this book. Why? Because of the evident tender loving care that went into writing it. There are books that entertain. There are books that beguile with artful use of language. There are books that tell unique stories in unique ways. And, once in a rare while, there are books that do all three. “A Flicker of Shadows” is one of those extraordinary novels.
Without giving anything away, “A Flicker of Shadows” decides to answer the question no one bothered to ask: What happened to the mountainous Transylvanian enclave where Dracula once dwelled after the paragon of the undead decided to pack his earth-filled crates and casket for foreign shores? The story that results from the answer to that offbeat query is charming, captivating, entertaining, intriguing and affecting.
Best of all is the presentation. Seeley tells his story as an epistolary mixing, letters, journal entries and interview notes. Each of Flicker’s oddball character tells his story through a specific format, helping to bring their voices to life as they contribute their points of view in a spooky, Rashomon-style telling of a Carpathian creep-fest.
Furthermore, Seeley expertly wields character-specific language to further breathe life into each narrator’s voice, biases and passions. The whole presentation leaves the reader giddily laughing at moments when a character indirectly reveals key plot points through their quirky little missives. (Did I mention one of the characters is a runt-of-the-litter bat with a megalomania complex?)
The result: a literary sampler box of distinctive, chapter-by-chapter treats that leaves readers wanting to stuff their faces with the next craftily constructed confection (and the next, and the next … ).
Please, do yourself a favor: read this book. Whether you’re a horror fan or not, it makes no matter. The characters and story are so fun, and Seeley has put such obvious tender loving care into this book that you will absolutely delight in every page. (I’ve written professionally for nearly 30 years of my life, and I don’t make that comment lightly. Seeley obviously w-o-r-k-e-d on every sentence of every page of this book, and it shows.)
And if you’re someone who’s not used to reading fiction by independent authors, I’m imploring you: read this book. It won’t just provide you with a welcome mat into the wonderful world of underground literature; it will usher you into a finely appointed receiving room adorned in polished teakwood, marble floors and gold filigree, and place an artfully crafted cocktail with an unpronounceable name and impossible-to-trace flavors into your hand. “Flicker of Shadows” crystalizes what is marvelous and rarified about the top-tier indie fiction. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy it.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for a free moment when I could review M.N. Seeley’s “A Flicker of Shadows,” because I l-o-v-e *LOVE* this book. Why? Because of the evident tender loving care that went into writing it. There are books that entertain. There are books that beguile with artful use of language. There are books that tell unique stories in unique ways. And, once in a rare while, there are books that do all three. “A Flicker of Shadows” is one of those extraordinary novels.
Without giving anything away, “A Flicker of Shadows” decides to answer the question no one bothered to ask: What happened to the mountainous Transylvanian enclave where Dracula once dwelled after the paragon of the undead decided to pack his earth-filled crates and casket for foreign shores? The story that results from the answer to that offbeat query is charming, captivating, entertaining, intriguing and affecting.
Best of all is the presentation. Seeley tells his story as an epistolary mixing, letters, journal entries and interview notes. Each of Flicker’s oddball character tells his story through a specific format, helping to bring their voices to life as they contribute their points of view in a spooky, Rashomon-style telling of a Carpathian creep-fest.
Furthermore, Seeley expertly wields character-specific language to further breathe life into each narrator’s voice, biases and passions. The whole presentation leaves the reader giddily laughing at moments when a character indirectly reveals key plot points through their quirky little missives. (Did I mention one of the characters is a runt-of-the-litter bat with a megalomania complex?)
The result: a literary sampler box of distinctive, chapter-by-chapter treats that leaves readers wanting to stuff their faces with the next craftily constructed confection (and the next, and the next … ).
Please, do yourself a favor: read this book. Whether you’re a horror fan or not, it makes no matter. The characters and story are so fun, and Seeley has put such obvious tender loving care into this book that you will absolutely delight in every page. (I’ve written professionally for nearly 30 years of my life, and I don’t make that comment lightly. Seeley obviously w-o-r-k-e-d on every sentence of every page of this book, and it shows.)
And if you’re someone who’s not used to reading fiction by independent authors, I’m imploring you: read this book. It won’t just provide you with a welcome mat into the wonderful world of underground literature; it will usher you into a finely appointed receiving room adorned in polished teakwood, marble floors and gold filigree, and place an artfully crafted cocktail with an unpronounceable name and impossible-to-trace flavors into your hand. “Flicker of Shadows” crystalizes what is marvelous and rarified about the top-tier indie fiction. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy it.
August 18, 2018
A Flicker of Shadows is a must read. After all, Seeley’s writing is crisp, fluid, and highly readable. The pages are chock-full of incredibly original ideas and content, like this memorable turn of phrase, “Knowledge is a partner of age, though sometimes it can equally be thought of as an accomplice in the theft of youth.” Just look at that. Seeley has a real knack for embedding truths, almost casually, on every page with the timing to really knock you off your feet.
A Flicker of Shadows is a dialectic exploration. On one side, there is the spooky and spectral, an old world still entertaining Post Transcendentalism, Spiritualism, and local, backwater, boogey men. On the other, there are the new fields of Pragmatism and Psychoanalysis; the Alienist and the Detective. Think Brom Bones and Ichabod Crane; Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles. As the story unfolds, the reader is caught in the tug of war between these incompatible views of reality. Wonderful stuff!
A Flicker of Shadows is Gothic, in some ways, an updated companion piece for Bram Stoker fans. Ectoplasm, nitre on the ancient castle walls, flickering candles, unnamed horrors in the dark, and everything Poe had started with ancient families falling to corrupt echoes of themselves. It is here that Seeley’s vocabulary and prose really shines. The world is tactile, vibrant even in its grim horrors of decay.
A Flicker of Shadows is often funny. The juxtaposition of humor against the darker elements is welcome and wonderfully mixed into the narrative without being jarring. This cohesion is a remarkable trait of Seeley’s writing. Despite some gambits that make for an interesting exercise in explaining the narrators (one in particular) to anyone that’s not read it, the novel comes together seamlessly.
I highly recommend reading this novel and can’t wait to read more by this author in the future.
A Flicker of Shadows is a dialectic exploration. On one side, there is the spooky and spectral, an old world still entertaining Post Transcendentalism, Spiritualism, and local, backwater, boogey men. On the other, there are the new fields of Pragmatism and Psychoanalysis; the Alienist and the Detective. Think Brom Bones and Ichabod Crane; Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles. As the story unfolds, the reader is caught in the tug of war between these incompatible views of reality. Wonderful stuff!
A Flicker of Shadows is Gothic, in some ways, an updated companion piece for Bram Stoker fans. Ectoplasm, nitre on the ancient castle walls, flickering candles, unnamed horrors in the dark, and everything Poe had started with ancient families falling to corrupt echoes of themselves. It is here that Seeley’s vocabulary and prose really shines. The world is tactile, vibrant even in its grim horrors of decay.
A Flicker of Shadows is often funny. The juxtaposition of humor against the darker elements is welcome and wonderfully mixed into the narrative without being jarring. This cohesion is a remarkable trait of Seeley’s writing. Despite some gambits that make for an interesting exercise in explaining the narrators (one in particular) to anyone that’s not read it, the novel comes together seamlessly.
I highly recommend reading this novel and can’t wait to read more by this author in the future.
December 20, 2018
First things first, this book is NOT my typical genre, but it’s a self-published book with an intriguing plot. As you may know, one of my goals this year is to support more self-published authors by reading more indie! This book is a literary suspense, heavy on the literary style! It has psychological mystery elements, making it appealing to many readers of the literary genre. The writing is beautiful, and it’s a slow-burn style; quite a long read.
At first, I was unsure about reading a book written entirely in the form of letters and journal entries, but the writing is very gripping; you still lose yourself in the rich storytelling and well-painted descriptions. My favourite character has to be Morton (The Bat). He is hilariously pretentious and condescending. He has some quotes that had me actually laughing out loud (I won’t use the acronym…it’s lost all meaning). My favourite has to be:
“Surprisingly, our talk was not as one sided as would be expected from a urine-soaked flea purse” - Morton
The story is complex and interesting, but admittedly a bit long-winded for my tastes. Again, I think this relates to the fact I don’t read much literary fiction. The mystery is interesting and leaves you wondering about reality vs imagination of the tellers.
Overall, this is some of the most beautiful writing I have read. Definitely a slow-burn type of story, very rich in detail and character development.
Rating: 5 stars for the writing, 4 stars for the story
I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone who enjoys literary fiction.
At first, I was unsure about reading a book written entirely in the form of letters and journal entries, but the writing is very gripping; you still lose yourself in the rich storytelling and well-painted descriptions. My favourite character has to be Morton (The Bat). He is hilariously pretentious and condescending. He has some quotes that had me actually laughing out loud (I won’t use the acronym…it’s lost all meaning). My favourite has to be:
“Surprisingly, our talk was not as one sided as would be expected from a urine-soaked flea purse” - Morton
The story is complex and interesting, but admittedly a bit long-winded for my tastes. Again, I think this relates to the fact I don’t read much literary fiction. The mystery is interesting and leaves you wondering about reality vs imagination of the tellers.
Overall, this is some of the most beautiful writing I have read. Definitely a slow-burn type of story, very rich in detail and character development.
Rating: 5 stars for the writing, 4 stars for the story
I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone who enjoys literary fiction.
January 23, 2020
There's much more to this weirdly original epistolary tale than folklore and horror, although Seeley does an excellent job of weaving bits and pieces of the stories we all know into something entirely his own. Told through the wildly divergent but entirely sincere perspectives of three characters, Flicker of Shadows is an exploration of to what extent we are all at the mercy of our own flawed perceptions. Three distinct voices intersect in a single story, to which the reader must carefully attend if she is to pick out the truth. Philosophy aside, the book is a delightful read, with one character in particular whose voice is charmingly wretched, completely blind to his own flaws and rife with unintentional hilarity. (Unintentional on the character's part - deftly intentional on the part of the author.) I'll leave it to the reader to discover of which character I speak. Initially I was drawn into the book solely through my fascination with the various characters, but the suspense built and I found myself rattling through at an increasing pace to untangle the truth from the knots of diaries, interviews, and letters. The epistolary is a tricky form, difficult to execute, and Seeley's craftsmanship is masterful. I'm very interested to see what this author will create next.
April 16, 2025
Soon after I got past the "What is going on?" and the "Where is this going?" phase, I found myself mesmerized by the language, the characters, and the story within this odd, but extremely original gothic tale of a castle, a bat, a pig, a lunatic, and so much more. I have now read both of M. N. Seeley's published novels, "A Flicker of Shadows," and "Cur Dogs," and am amazed at how different they are from one another. Hard to believe it's the same author. The only similarity is that both books are ridiculously creative - to the point I want to reread them. And I will in time. For now, though, I'm just going to savor the reading experience of "A Flicker of Shadows."
April 27, 2018
A bat with a conscience? Don't let that hold you back.
If there was ever a time to suspend your disbelief, it's now. Just savor passages like this: "There is a pause before I silently slip backwards into the witching dusk; the fringes of my body lashing as though aflame with a black fire." Or how about this? "The cobblestone streets and alleyways radiate from a central town square; jagged and irregular like burst blood vessels in an eye."
I dare anyone to read those lines and not want to fly.
If there was ever a time to suspend your disbelief, it's now. Just savor passages like this: "There is a pause before I silently slip backwards into the witching dusk; the fringes of my body lashing as though aflame with a black fire." Or how about this? "The cobblestone streets and alleyways radiate from a central town square; jagged and irregular like burst blood vessels in an eye."
I dare anyone to read those lines and not want to fly.
December 30, 2018
M.N. Seeley's A Flicker of Shadows is a suspenseful, humorous story that takes the reader on a journey into the bright windows and dark crevices of one's mind. The plot unfolds through the journals of a bat, and an inspector, and the psychoanalytic transcripts of sessions between a doctor and a lunatic. Seeley's writing, like the story itself, is both light and dark in its delivery. He leads the reader to question what they see in the visual landscapes provided. Mr. Seeley gives the reader a literary echolocation of sorts to locate the juncture of innocence and guilt, light and dark, as well as naivete and the acquisition of knowledge. No matter how palatial the castle, there is always something lurking in the basement. I highly recommend this read.
August 25, 2018
A Flicker of Shadows is a delightful read. From the opening chapters told from the perspective of my favourite character Morton the bat, to the letters from Inspektor Murnau to his sister, and the doctor/patient notes of Onno. Each with their unique voices and character. The story is revealed, built upon layers, until the exciting and intense conclusion. There are plenty of humorous touches sprinkled in the story which nicely break up the building tension.
The book is reasonably long, although one that never felt like a chore to read. Each page is beautifully written and filled with details that enrich the story
I look forward to reading more of M.N. Seeley's books.
The book is reasonably long, although one that never felt like a chore to read. Each page is beautifully written and filled with details that enrich the story
I look forward to reading more of M.N. Seeley's books.
March 5, 2019
This book gives the reader a connection to each of the characters, making you care about them and then feel for them as incidents occur. It is such a great read. The story and characters linger with you even after you are done reading.
October 18, 2018
Well ... I wrote it. I guess you could say I'm a fan.
June 19, 2023
A novel set in the 19th Century combining elements of the gothic and the humorous? Surely that cannot work? But indeed it does.
M.N. Seeley’s A Flicker of Shadows is told by its three main characters. Morton is a bat, and a narcissist one at that. This little dude has ideas above his station and decides he is to inherit an old castle in a dark and remote landscape in Eastern Europe, though he’s more of a squatter really. His new dwelling will make him all powerful, and rightly so, according to him. But, he’s a bat. Although he is able to keep a journal so maybe I’m doing him a disservice?
The goodie is Chief Inspector Armin Murnau. This guy is investigating strange happenings in the local village where an ancient demon may well be responsible for the deaths of livestock, and people! Armin interviews the locals and, although he’s a sceptic at heart, becomes embroiled in the dispute between a wealthy family and a rather strange butcher with a rare and beautiful pig. He too is drawn to the castle where Morton resides, and he can feel the evil at work within its walls. Before too long he is in the middle of possibly-supernatural happenings, and barbaric murders.
These two characters channel their thoughts and feelings through Morton’s journal and Armin’s letters to his sister. And of course their stories eventually intertwine. You get to learn of happenings in the plot from one, then hear the other side of the story, and how each misinterpret exactly what is going on.
Finally we have Onno Brouwer, a patient in a lunatic asylum being interviewed by his doctor. Onno’s story is presented through transcripts of him and the doctor, and the doc’s ‘unconventional’ practices. At first Onno is reluctant to speak of his participation in the story, but very soon everything comes together.
As mentioned previously, there are gothic elements at play, and the darkness and shadows portrayed are insidiously creepy. Just what is going on in that castle? Surely it is no coincidence that Morton is a bat? And although he is very much full of himself, he is a really interesting and funny character, although I’m sure he’d be the last to admit to the funny part.
The interviews with Onno begin as rather infuriating, and the doctor shares my thoughts, but before too long he starts to get his answers. And the ending to this particular portion of the novel was pretty shocking.
This is a longish read, and definitely a slow burn, but is well worth the time. It took me a long time to get through this, not because it was a slog, but because the prose is so delightful and, I don’t know, well thought out (more well thought out than this description, obviously!).
Fans of the gothic will love this, as will the not-so-fans. It is always a tough act to get the horrors and the humours right, but M.N. Seeley has done a sterling job with this one.
M.N. Seeley’s A Flicker of Shadows is told by its three main characters. Morton is a bat, and a narcissist one at that. This little dude has ideas above his station and decides he is to inherit an old castle in a dark and remote landscape in Eastern Europe, though he’s more of a squatter really. His new dwelling will make him all powerful, and rightly so, according to him. But, he’s a bat. Although he is able to keep a journal so maybe I’m doing him a disservice?
The goodie is Chief Inspector Armin Murnau. This guy is investigating strange happenings in the local village where an ancient demon may well be responsible for the deaths of livestock, and people! Armin interviews the locals and, although he’s a sceptic at heart, becomes embroiled in the dispute between a wealthy family and a rather strange butcher with a rare and beautiful pig. He too is drawn to the castle where Morton resides, and he can feel the evil at work within its walls. Before too long he is in the middle of possibly-supernatural happenings, and barbaric murders.
These two characters channel their thoughts and feelings through Morton’s journal and Armin’s letters to his sister. And of course their stories eventually intertwine. You get to learn of happenings in the plot from one, then hear the other side of the story, and how each misinterpret exactly what is going on.
Finally we have Onno Brouwer, a patient in a lunatic asylum being interviewed by his doctor. Onno’s story is presented through transcripts of him and the doctor, and the doc’s ‘unconventional’ practices. At first Onno is reluctant to speak of his participation in the story, but very soon everything comes together.
As mentioned previously, there are gothic elements at play, and the darkness and shadows portrayed are insidiously creepy. Just what is going on in that castle? Surely it is no coincidence that Morton is a bat? And although he is very much full of himself, he is a really interesting and funny character, although I’m sure he’d be the last to admit to the funny part.
The interviews with Onno begin as rather infuriating, and the doctor shares my thoughts, but before too long he starts to get his answers. And the ending to this particular portion of the novel was pretty shocking.
This is a longish read, and definitely a slow burn, but is well worth the time. It took me a long time to get through this, not because it was a slog, but because the prose is so delightful and, I don’t know, well thought out (more well thought out than this description, obviously!).
Fans of the gothic will love this, as will the not-so-fans. It is always a tough act to get the horrors and the humours right, but M.N. Seeley has done a sterling job with this one.
October 22, 2020
this is a great read. Keeps you in suspense with amazing plot. very well written. Highly recommend this. A great read for now before Halloween.
He has a new book Curdogs on kindle which will also keep you reading. I couldn’t put it down!
He has a new book Curdogs on kindle which will also keep you reading. I couldn’t put it down!
November 5, 2020
Schism
It’s an odd tale of separate realities with some downright brutal bits. By the end, reality may have been upended.
It’s an odd tale of separate realities with some downright brutal bits. By the end, reality may have been upended.
June 25, 2025
This is a phenomenally inventive book. From the first page to the very last syllable, I read this sucker (vampire pun intended) with eyes wide open: in awe.
Canadian author M.N. Seeley is a masterful storyteller. The ease with which he wrote his complex, character-driven novel is inspiring. And!—the story is interesting. And well researched. I learned a lot about the so-called demons who terrorized Eastern Europeans in the 1890s, not-to-mention the horrible ways “doctors” tortured vulnerable adults they forced into lunatic asylums.
Needless to say, this book is excellent. It isn’t scary. Mort the Bat's narrative is too funny and Chief Inspector Murnau’s analysis of goings-on is too reasonable (at first)—but it’s suspenseful and science-minded. And wonderfully written. The layered conflict resolves with grunts, squeals, and clever revelations that provide clarity.
I genuinely think you should read this book. Kudos to Seeley for the incredible amount of work he must have put into penning it. It’s an achievement.
Canadian author M.N. Seeley is a masterful storyteller. The ease with which he wrote his complex, character-driven novel is inspiring. And!—the story is interesting. And well researched. I learned a lot about the so-called demons who terrorized Eastern Europeans in the 1890s, not-to-mention the horrible ways “doctors” tortured vulnerable adults they forced into lunatic asylums.
Needless to say, this book is excellent. It isn’t scary. Mort the Bat's narrative is too funny and Chief Inspector Murnau’s analysis of goings-on is too reasonable (at first)—but it’s suspenseful and science-minded. And wonderfully written. The layered conflict resolves with grunts, squeals, and clever revelations that provide clarity.
I genuinely think you should read this book. Kudos to Seeley for the incredible amount of work he must have put into penning it. It’s an achievement.
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